Electrical tapoff connector

ABSTRACT

A tapoff connector adapted to be secured to existing line cables and further adapted to receive lead wires from street lights or other electrical devices is disclosed. The connector has insulation-piercing screw means which, when tightened onto an insulated line cable, pierces the insulation of the cable and mechanically and electrically engages the conductor thereof. Means are provided in the connector whereby the conductors of tap wires are gripped and held in another portion of the connector when the screw is tightly in place on the line cable. Electrical current is then transmitted from the line cable to the tap wires via the connector. Alternate embodiments are also shown, one of which includes a connector which may be secured to prestripped insulated line cable.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Clyde Norman Holtzapple Duncannon, Pa. [2]] Appl. No 865,836 [22] Filed Oct. 13,1969 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 [73] Assignee AMPlncorporated Harrisburg, Pa.

[54] ELECTRICAL TAPOFF CONNECTOR 24 Claims, 8' Drawing Figs.

521 05.0 339/9711, 339/243, 339/264 R [51] Int. Cl llfllr 11/20 [50] Field olSearc'h..... .1 339/95, 9799, 272, 243, 244, 264

[56] References Cited 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 350,829 10/1886 .lones 33 9/97 FOREIGN PATENTS 644,555 10/1928 France 339/97 705,121 6/1931 France 339/97 890,078 8/1953 Germany 339/272 U 1,054,136 4/1959 Germany 15,813 9/1892 Great Britain.... 339/97 697,756 9/1953 Great Britain... 339/272 R 121,907 1/1928 Switzerland 339/95 ABSTRACT: A tapoff connector adapted to be secured to existing line cables and further adapted to receive lead wires from street lights or other electrical devices is disclosed. The connector has insulation-piercing screw means which, when tightened onto an insulated line cable, pierces the insulation of the cable and mechanically and electrically engages the conductor thereof. Means are provided in the connector whereby the conductors of tap wires are gripped and held in another portion of the connector when the screw is tightly in place on the line cable. Electrical current is then transmitted from the line cable to the tap wires via the connector. Alternate embodiments are also shown, one of which includes a connector which may be secured to prestripped insulated line cable.

PATENTED JUL20 an sum 1 a; 2

INVENTOR CLYDE NORMAN HOLTZAPPLE PATENTEuJuLzolsn 3,594,703

saw 2 BF 2 mum I NVE N TO R CLYD E NORMAN HOLTZAPPLE ELECTRICAL TAPOFF CONNECTOR This invention relates generally to electrical cable connectors and more particularly to a cable tapoff connector which can readily be applied to a line cable by a lineman without the aid of application tooling.

In making electrical tapoff connections from an existing line cable to a street light, the lineman must work under the field conditions as they exist. In cases wherein the line cable is buried underground or in an underground vault, there is not usually sufficient work space to use application tooling to apply conventional tapoff connectors. In some instances, there may not be sufficient space to strip insulation from the line cable so as to make connections to the line cables.

It is the principal object of this invention, therefore, to provide electrical connector means by which a lineman may tap into an existing insulated line cable. 1

Another object is to provide a tapofflconnector which may be mechanically and electrically secured to an insulated line cable without first removing insulation from the line cable.

Still another object is the provision of the above connector with means thereon to receive tap wires from street lights or other analogous lighting devices.

Another object is the provision of tapoff connectors which may be secured to prestripped insulated line cable.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there are shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but are given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded and perspective view of a tapoff connector and conductors to be connected according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view showing a connector secured to a line cable and showing a tapwire in place;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through the connector of FIG. 4 showing it secured to a line cable and showing a tap wire in place;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the connector of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a part sectional view of still another embodiment of the connector of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 is a view taken along lines 77 of FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 1, oneembodiment of a tapoff connector C comprises a generally C-shaped electrically conductive member 2 such as aluminum. Connector C is preferably made from an extrusion and cut to the desired length. The connector includes an aluminum block member 4 which is disposed in the base portion 2 having a channel-shaped configuration. A screw 6 is disposed to extend upwardly through an oversize hole 7 in a base 9 of base portion 2 such that it engages threaded hole 5 in block 4. Point P of the screw projects upwardly from block 4 and is directed toward the arcuateshaped top 10 of housing 2.

C-shaped connector C has a sidewall 8 on one side thereof, the inner section of top 10 is directed inwardly at approximately 45 to the centerline of connector C while the outer section is directed outwardly from the centerline. This defines a nest N to confine a cable CA when a connection is made thereto. Sidewall 8 extends downwardly where it forms an extension which is base 9 and it extends at right angles across the bottom of the connector. A short wall M extends upwardly from the outer end of base 9 and it has an in-curled end 16. A rib member 10 may be disposed in alignment with end 16 on wall 8. The combination of rib and in-curled end 116 provides stop means to limit upward travel of member 41 in the connector. The connector will operate with the rib 18 removed, however, rib 18 further serves to stabilize block member 1 and screw 6. A pair of V-shaped slots 20 and 22 defining tap wire nests are provided in floor 12 of base 9.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in use, C-shaped connector C is hooked over an insulated line cable CA such that the cable CA is disposed in nest N. The prestripped conductor TCC of tap cable TC is disposed in slot 20 of floor 12, whereafter, screw 6 is tightened. During tightening, the screw 6 travels upwardly towards line cable CA where its point P engages cable CA. During further tightening of screw 6, the block 4 moves downwardly within base portion 2 toward floor 112 where it tightly engages conductor TCC. Simultaneously, the point P of screw 6 pierces the insulation of cable CA and engages the conductor wires, FIG. 3. In effect, when screw 6 meets resistance of cable CA during tightening, the screw threads force block 4 downwardly to tightly engage tap wire TCC.

Referring to FIGS. 41 and 5, a tapoff connector C is illustrated which is another embodiment and it comprises an alu-.

minum member which is preferably made by conventional extrusion techniques. The transverse cross section shape of this embodiment is in the general form of the numeral 2. The connector includes an aluminum block member 106 which is disposed in the channel-shaped base portion 102. A screw 106 is disposed to extend upwardly through an oversize hole 101 in the base 112 of base portion 102 such that it engages threaded hole 105 in block 1041. Screw 106 extends from block 104, through another oversize hole 103 in intermediate section 1109 and upwardly towards the top 108 of the connector.

Connector C has a sidewall 100 which terminates at the arcuate-shaped top 1110 defining a nest N similar to the connector of FIGS. 1-3. Sidewall 108 terminates at its lower portion in transverse intermediate section 1109 which extends across the middle of the connector. Another sidewall 1111 of the con nector extends from intermediate section 109 downwardly to base 112 which .extends at right angles across the bottom of the connector. A short wall 114 which is disposed opposite wall 111, extends upwardly from the other side of base 112 and it has an in-curled end 1116. A rib member 118 is disposed on the inside surface of wall 111 opposite end 116. The combination of rib 1118 and in-curled end 116 provides a stop means to limit upward travel of block member 104 in the connector. A pair of V-shaped slots 120 and 122 defining tap wire nests are provided in the floor of base 112.

The operation-and effect of the connector C' of FIGS. 4 and 5 is generally similar to the connector of FIGS. 1-3 with the exception of the intermediate section 109. Screw 106 is free to float axially, a limited amount, in oversize holes 101 and'103. The hole 103 further serves to prevent the screw from cocking and bending outwardly during tightening. By keeping screw 106 in axial alignment with respect to the connector in general and nest N in particular, point P will enter the center of the cable CA for a more secure electrical connection. Also, during tightening of screw 106, the cable CA will not roll in its nest N and thereby provide a more secure mechanical connection.

Referring to FIG. 6, wherein another alternative embodiment is shown, connector C" is generally similar in construction and use to the connector of FIGS. 41 and 5. In this embodiment, a triangular-shaped protrusion 120 is provided in nest N. Protrusion 128 is an integral part of the connector, and it is disposed to extend downwardly from nest N such that its point or edge 124 is in line with screw 106. Also in this embodiment, a pusher member freely disposed on the end of screw 106 in place of point P so that screw 106 can be rotated relative to member 126. This connector is used in the same manner as the connector of FIGS. 41 and 5, however, during termination, pusher 126 effectively pushes a line cable CA upwardly in nest N where point 124 of protrusion 128 pierces the cable CA and engages the conductor wires thereof. It should be noted that protrusion 128 may be defined as a conical protrusion, or it may be formed in the nest from one side of the connector to the other side. Also, pusher member 126 may be semicircular in cross section, and it may extend from side to side the width of the connector.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate connector C" in use on a stripped section of cable CA and protrusion 128 in penetrating the conductive wires of the cable breaks down any oxide coating between protrusion 128 and the wires of the cable to provide a better connection. The same is true when point P is forced into the wires and the V-shaped grooves in bases 9 and 112 cause the tap conductor to be reformed therein which breaks down any oxide coating.

it should be noted that insulating boots or tapes, not shown, may be secured around the connectors after they are secured in place.

it should also be noted that the connectors may be removed from line cables CA at will without detrimental effect to the line cable CA.

It should be further noted that any of the connectors disclosed herein may be used with insulated line cable which has portions of its insulation removed to expose portions of the conductors.

it will, therefore, be appreciated that the aforementioned and other desirable objects have been achieved; however, it should be emphasized that the particular embodiments of the invention, which are shown and described herein, are intended as merely illustrative and not as restrictive of the invention.

The invention 1 claim is in accordance with the following 1. An electrical connector comprising: a top portion, a base portion, at least one sidewall portion, connecting means for connecting together said top portion and said base portion and said sidewall portion in a substantially rigid structure, a single externally threaded means and a single internally threaded means cooperating together for applying gripping pressure between said top portion and said externally threaded means and for simultaneously applying gripping pressure between said internally threaded means and said base portion, first nest means on said connector and defined between said top portion and said externally threaded means for receiving a first electrical conductor, and second nest means on said connector and defined between said base portion and said internally threaded means for receiving a second electrical conductor, said base portion freely receiving said externally threaded means therethrough, said internally threaded means being threadably received over said externally threaded means and being located between said base portion and said top portion, said internally threaded means additionally being reciprocable in a direction extending between said base portion and said top portion.

2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said connector is generally C-shaped.

3. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said connector is generally numeral 2 -shaped.

4. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said single externally threaded means includes pusher means for cooperating with said top portion for gripping the first electrical conductor therebetween.

5. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises a direct connection between said top portion and said sidewall portion and a direct connection between said sidewall portion and said base portion.

6. The structure as recited in claim 1, and further including: a short wall provided on said base and in spaced relationship from said wall portion.

7. The structure as recited in claim 1, and further including: stop means on said connector for limiting reciprocable displacement of said internally threaded means with respect to said base portion.

8. The structure as recited in claim 7, and further including: a short wall provided on said base portion and in spaced relationship from said sidewall portion, said stop means being connected to said short wall.

9. The structure as recited in claim 7, and further including: short wall means on said base portion and in spaced relationship from said wall portion.

10. The structure as recited in claim 9, wherein said stop means is located on said short wall means and on said sidewall portion.

11. The structure as recited in claim 9, wherein said short wall means is adjacent to said internally threaded means of said connector for restraining rotation of said internally threaded means with respect to said base portion.

12. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said connecting means comprises a transverse intermediate portion and another sidewall portion extending between said firstmentioned sidewall portion and said base portion, and said single externally threaded means is additionally received freely through said intermediate portion.

13. The structure as recited in claim 12, and further including: a short wall on said base portion and in spaced relationship from said first-mentioned sidewall portion, said stop means being connected to said short wall.

14. The structure as recited in claim 12, wherein, said stop means is located on said short wall means and on said firstmentioned sidewall portion.

15. The structure as recited in claim 1, and further including: projecting means on said connector for penetrating partially into the electrical connector when located between said top portion and said externally threaded means.

16. The structure as recited in claim 15, wherein, said projecting means is on said externally threaded means of said connector.

17. The structure as recited in claim 15, wherein said projecting means is on said top portion of said connector.

18. An electrical connector, comprising: a top portion, a base portion, at least one sidewall portion, connecting means for connecting together said top portion and said base portion and said sidewall portion in a substantially rigid structure, a single externally threaded means and a single internally threaded means cooperating together for applying gripping pressure between said top portion and said externally threaded means and for simultaneously applying gripping pressure between said internally threaded means and said base portion, said base portion freely receiving said externally threaded means therethrough, said internally threaded means being threadably received over said externally threaded means and being located between said base portion and said top portion, and said internally threaded means being reciprocable in a direction extending between said base portion and said top portion.

19. The structure as recited in claim 18, wherein said connecting means comprises a direct connection between said top portion and said sidewall portion and a direct connection between said sidewall portion and said base portion.

20. The structure as recited in claim 18, wherein said connecting means comprises a transverse intermediate portion and another sidewall portion extending between said firstmentioned sidewall portion and said base portion, and said single externally threaded means is additionally received freely through said intermediate portion.

21. The structure as recited in claim 18, wherein said single externally threaded means includes pusher means for cooperating with said top portion for applying gripping pressure therebetween.

22. The structure as recited in claim 18, and further including: a short wall on said base portion and in spaced relationship from said sidewall portion, said stop means being connected to said short wall.

23. The structure as recited in claim 18, and further including: a short wall means on said base portion and in spaced relationship from said sidewall portion.

24. The structure as recited in claim 18, wherein, said short wall means is adjacent to said internally threaded means of said connector for restraining rotation of said internally threaded means with respect to said base portion.

Dedication 3,594,703.--0lyde Norman Holtzapple, Duncannon, Pa. ELECTRICAL TAP- OFF CONNECTOR. Patent dated July 20, 1971. Dedication filed J an. 9, 1973, by the assignee, AMP Incorporated. Hereby dedicates to the Public all the claims 1-24 for the remaining term of said patent.

[Ofiicial Gazette May 22,1973] 

1. An electrical connector comprising: a top portion, a base portion, at least one sidewall portion, connecting means for connecting together said top portion and said base portion and said sidewall portion in a substantially rigid structure, a single externally threaded means and a single internally threaded means cooperating together for applying gripping pressure betweeN said top portion and said externally threaded means and for simultaneously applying gripping pressure between said internally threaded means and said base portion, first nest means on said connector and defined between said top portion and said externally threaded means for receiving a first electrical conductor, and second nest means on said connector and defined between said base portion and said internally threaded means for receiving a second electrical conductor, said base portion freely receiving said externally threaded means therethrough, said internally threaded means being threadably received over said externally threaded means and being located between said base portion and said top portion, said internally threaded means additionally being reciprocable in a direction extending between said base portion and said top portion.
 2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said connector is generally C-shaped.
 3. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said connector is generally numeral 2 -shaped.
 4. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said single externally threaded means includes pusher means for cooperating with said top portion for gripping the first electrical conductor therebetween.
 5. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises a direct connection between said top portion and said sidewall portion and a direct connection between said sidewall portion and said base portion.
 6. The structure as recited in claim 1, and further including: a short wall provided on said base and in spaced relationship from said wall portion.
 7. The structure as recited in claim 1, and further including: stop means on said connector for limiting reciprocable displacement of said internally threaded means with respect to said base portion.
 8. The structure as recited in claim 7, and further including: a short wall provided on said base portion and in spaced relationship from said sidewall portion, said stop means being connected to said short wall.
 9. The structure as recited in claim 7, and further including: short wall means on said base portion and in spaced relationship from said wall portion.
 10. The structure as recited in claim 9, wherein said stop means is located on said short wall means and on said sidewall portion.
 11. The structure as recited in claim 9, wherein said short wall means is adjacent to said internally threaded means of said connector for restraining rotation of said internally threaded means with respect to said base portion.
 12. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said connecting means comprises a transverse intermediate portion and another sidewall portion extending between said first-mentioned sidewall portion and said base portion, and said single externally threaded means is additionally received freely through said intermediate portion.
 13. The structure as recited in claim 12, and further including: a short wall on said base portion and in spaced relationship from said first-mentioned sidewall portion, said stop means being connected to said short wall.
 14. The structure as recited in claim 12, wherein, said stop means is located on said short wall means and on said first-mentioned sidewall portion.
 15. The structure as recited in claim 1, and further including: projecting means on said connector for penetrating partially into the electrical connector when located between said top portion and said externally threaded means.
 16. The structure as recited in claim 15, wherein, said projecting means is on said externally threaded means of said connector.
 17. The structure as recited in claim 15, wherein said projecting means is on said top portion of said connector.
 18. An electrical connector, comprising: a top portion, a base portion, at least one sidewall portion, connecting means for connecting together said top portion and said base portion and said sidewall portion in a substantially rigid structure, a single externally threaded meanS and a single internally threaded means cooperating together for applying gripping pressure between said top portion and said externally threaded means and for simultaneously applying gripping pressure between said internally threaded means and said base portion, said base portion freely receiving said externally threaded means therethrough, said internally threaded means being threadably received over said externally threaded means and being located between said base portion and said top portion, and said internally threaded means being reciprocable in a direction extending between said base portion and said top portion.
 19. The structure as recited in claim 18, wherein said connecting means comprises a direct connection between said top portion and said sidewall portion and a direct connection between said sidewall portion and said base portion.
 20. The structure as recited in claim 18, wherein said connecting means comprises a transverse intermediate portion and another sidewall portion extending between said first-mentioned sidewall portion and said base portion, and said single externally threaded means is additionally received freely through said intermediate portion.
 21. The structure as recited in claim 18, wherein said single externally threaded means includes pusher means for cooperating with said top portion for applying gripping pressure therebetween.
 22. The structure as recited in claim 18, and further including: a short wall on said base portion and in spaced relationship from said sidewall portion, said stop means being connected to said short wall.
 23. The structure as recited in claim 18, and further including: a short wall means on said base portion and in spaced relationship from said sidewall portion.
 24. The structure as recited in claim 18, wherein, said short wall means is adjacent to said internally threaded means of said connector for restraining rotation of said internally threaded means with respect to said base portion. 